Daughter of a Demon

CHAPTER EIGHT - Anger Issues

CHAPTER EIGHT

Anger Issues

Rage swept through me and took control of any rational thought. I frowned in anger and confusion and could feel hot tears burning the back of my eyes.

I can't believe this. First Noctis marked me and claimed me as his, and now he tattooed my 'real' name on my arm. I am not something he can just come and collect. I am a person. I exist.

I laughed crazily at my use of the word person. I am not a person. I am a Demon. And all thanks to him.

I swiftly left the room, ignoring Caneo's calls.

"I am not a person" I muttered in disgust.

I leapt down the flights of stairs and ran into the kitchen. Chet was sitting there eating a piece of muffin. He looked up and smiled but stopped when he saw my expression.

"Celes-" I quickly exited the room before he could finish. I didn't want him to see me like this.

See me like what? He should see me like this. Let him see what I am. What I have become.

Footsteps behind me made me hasten my pace and, without turning around to see who it was, I wrinkled my nose in distaste.

Go away.

Without a sound to warn him I stormed out the house and flew off the deck. And before my feet even hit the ground, I dove into the shadows.

The shadows always understood. They were always there for me but never bothered me. They are my home.

"Celeste" Chet's voice was barely a whisper in the shadow world, "Come back"

I snarled and spun around. He couldn't see me but he could feel the hostility. The shadows reacted with me and became darker in hate.

"No!" I shouted and spun on my heel and ran into the forest. I would never have done that if he could hear me.

I easily dodged the trees and leapt over bushes. Shadows swam lazily around me, hardly disturbed by my interference.

Then why did I do it?

I screamed in fury and confusion. Just let it be.

Leave me.

The shadows dispersed from around my body and cold wind whipped my face.

I looked around in sudden silence. Where was I?

The trickle of a stream nearby and the smell of damp earth and moss told me instantly where I stood.

I looked down to confirm my suspicions. The stream that Chet showed me yesterday.

Birch trees swayed behind me and the leaves whispered like cards being turned.

I stepped forward in a dangerous calm. Cool wet water swirled around my feet and I sat down in the middle of the stream. My hands drifted around at my sides nonchalantly as the river water sped past my waist.

I couldn't hold back any longer. My whole life I've been pushing down my emotions. Now there is nothing left to stop them from coming to the surface.

Tears streamed down my face, burning my cheeks. I hated showing emotion in front of others. Showing weakness.

I tried to wipe the tears away in the hope that it would make them go away, or at least stop. No such luck.

More tears came and I gave in. Sobs racked my body and I lay back in the stream, watching my tears mingle with the water. And I cried. Just cried.

                              - - - - -

I must have been lying there for an hour at least because when I came to, the sky had darkened and the river had turned cold.

I shivered and slowly stood up, dripping wet. The wind instantly froze the water on my clothes and an icy chill spread through my body. If I didn't get back to the house soon I'd probably get hypothermia.

The sky turned darker and my exposed skin began to burn from the cold. I shuddered and rung out my still dripping hair. Time to get going.

I huffed and began to march homeward. The steam from my breath clung in the air behind me and faded from sight. Time seemed to slow and every detail caught my attention.

The wet leaves that lay plastered to the ground, the twigs that snapped as I stepped on them and the trees. The whispering trees.

I sighed and pulled my damp clothes tighter around myself. It was nearly night now and I soon wouldn't be able to see anymore.

Where was Caneo? Why hasn't she come to find me?

Something behind me cracked. I spun around and froze. Maybe it was just a mouse looking for food. Or maybe it's a phsyco killer waiting for you to make a wrong move.

I mentally slapped myself. Damn you, conscience.

I hastened my pace and practically ran into Chet. My scream rang across the forest.

"Oh my god! Don't do that" I raked a shaky hand through my knotted wet hair.

"I'm sorry. I was just worried. About you" He said with a frown, searching my face for something. "Caneo told me not to go after you because you needed to be alone but it got late so I came looking for you."

I nodded my head and looked around. An uncontrollable shiver ran through my body and my teeth began to chatter.

"Here" He pulled off his jacket in one smooth movement and wrapped it around me, "It'll keep you warm for now"

"Thanks" I sniffed. Stupid runny nose. I must be getting a cold.

We began walking back in silence. An owl hooted to my left and the croaking of frogs echoed among the trees.

I cleared my throat. " Ugh. Um" This is so awkward. "I'm sorry about earlier. I was just angry"

He looked at me sideways and smiled, "It's ok"

I smiled back and looked away. Lights in the distance caught my attention. Finally.

Home.

And with home comes warm baths.